Apple today unveiled its new line of MacBook consumer notebooks that now include Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Just one-inch thin, the new MacBooks are up to 25 percent faster than the previous generation and feature a built-in iSight video camera for on-the-go video conferencing, Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain, and iLife ‘06, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.

“MacBook has helped drive Apple’s notebook market share to over 10 percent in US retail, and the new MacBooks will be among this holiday season’s most exciting new products,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With Intel Core 2 Duo processors across the entire line, these new MacBooks are up to 25 percent faster than their predecessors.”

With prices starting at just $1,099, the new MacBook lineup includes three models: sleek white 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook models, and a stunning black 2.0 GHz MacBook model. With Intel’s latest Core 2 Duo processors, the new MacBook is up to 25 percent faster than the previous MacBook and up to six times faster than the iBook®, making it even easier for consumers to manage and enjoy their digital content with iLife ‘06.* Consumers will also benefit from the added power in the new 2.0 GHz models, including double the memory and greater storage capacity than the previous generation, as well as a double-layer SuperDrive™ for burning professional-quality DVDs.

This is what the last Mac mini update should have looked like. C2Ds, more memory and bigger hard drives. Come on Apple, I want to buy a headless desktop from you!

I would rather have an upgraded video card than the Core 2 Duo at this point. But hopefully they will do both to the Mac mini at Macworld. I would also like to wait for Leopard and iLife 07. I might actually consider trading up for one of those models.

I actually just ordered 5 minis last week, so I'm "glad" to see they didn't get updated today. *S* In fact, I was about to check my order status to see what was taking so long but the store is STILL down. I don't ever remember it taking this long . . . I wonder what's up?

That does seem a little strange. Maybe they're having some technical issues.

scooper wrote:

I would rather have an upgraded video card than the Core 2 Duo at this point. But hopefully they will do both to the Mac mini at Macworld. I would also like to wait for Leopard and iLife 07. I might actually consider trading up for one of those models.

A nice update for the MacBooks. It's also good to see Apple making 1GB of RAM standard in more Macs. 512MB just isn't sufficient anymore. I don't have any interest in buying one though. The screens are just too small for my liking. I'm not that crazy about the keyboards either. They feel solid, but the keys are just too flat. I would be all over a MBP if they cost $250 less.

Nothing is impossible and some benchmark might show this, but having gone from a Core Duo mini to a Core 2 Duo iMac I can assure you that in actual usage it simply isn't true.

That's probably true, but there are other factors in play. Plus, the clock speeds are different. I think the iMac and MacBook Pro benchmarks from CD to C2D have basically shown a modest 10% gain. I'm not sure how that relates in normal daily use, but I have a feeling that it's not earth shattering. I think 64-bit factor is probably more important going forward. It's hard telling what, if anything, that will mean in Leopard.

Nothing is impossible and some benchmark might show this, but having gone from a Core Duo mini to a Core 2 Duo iMac I can assure you that in actual usage it simply isn't true.

That's probably true, but there are other factors in play. Plus, the clock speeds are different. I think the iMac and MacBook Pro benchmarks from CD to C2D have basically shown a modest 10% gain. I'm not sure how that relates in normal daily use, but I have a feeling that it's not earth shattering. I think 64-bit factor is probably more important going forward. It's hard telling what, if anything, that will mean in Leopard.